The deciding vote on the One Cleethorpes high rise development was made by a substitute councillor who had only seen the full plans that morning, it can be revealed.

The three One Cleethorpes apartment blocks will be one of the resort's biggest developments but their scale and design have divided opinion.

And yesterday they were approved by a margin of just one vote by North East Lincolnshire's planning committee.

Grimsby Live can reveal that the final decision lay with the vote of a substitute councillor whose first sight of the detailed 58-page planning document was shortly before yesterday's 9.30am meeting

The papers included the developer's detailed plans, planning officers' comprehensive assessment and recommendations and the written objections of more than 20 people and organisations.

The One Cleethorpes towers which have been granted approval by planners at North East Lincolnshire Council (Image: Cielo Realty Ltd)

Despite admitting in the meeting that he had only just seen the papers, Councillor Bill Parkinson effectively cast the deciding vote to approve the plans with the committee voting 5-4 in favour after a prolonged debate.

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Parkinson said that he was only told on Monday that he would have to attend the meeting, had been out of town and did not return until Tuesday, giving him little time to prepare.

Another two councillors were missing from the meeting, Cliff Barber and Andrew De Freitas. Neither had sent a substitute to replace them.

North East Lincolnshire Council planning committee make a decision on Cleethorpes One high-rises

Councillor Parkinson said: "I had been away from the town on Monday when I was informed that I would need to be attending the planning committee meeting, and I did not return home until Tuesday night, so I didn't have the time to look at the plans until Wednesday morning.

"I came into the town hall early to study the plans in more detail prior to the meeting, but normally I am given much more notice that I would need to attend, which would give me more to prepare.

"Normally I would spend about an hour looking at individual plans prior to a meeting, and even take the time to visit the site myself if I had any concerns.

The Council Planning Committee has approved the controversial Cleethorpes One high rise flats on Grant Street (Image: Cielo Realty Ltd)

"I wouldn't say that I was totally unaware of the development, and I grew up just around the corner on College Street and live in Cleethorpes myself, so I am well aware of how the development will affect the area.

"But saying that, it was still a very hard decision to make, there were positives for and against it. Looking back though it does seem like the power was in my hands. I couldn't say why the other councillors were not in attendance."

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One Cleethorpes

The councillors who voted for the development were Councillors Goodwin, Harness, Shreeve, Parkinson and Nichols. Councillors Hasthorpe, Mickleburgh, Lindley and James voted against the high rises.

In January the council faced criticism after just three out of seven cabinet members turned up to a meeting and made the decision to replace the Toll Bar roundabout with traffic lights, a plan that had triggered bitter opposition from residents.